1 Samuel 25:41

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she arose, and bowed herself on [her] face to the earth, and said, Behold, [let] thine handmaid [be] a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

Complete Jewish Bible:

She got up, bowed with her face to the ground, and said, "Your servant is here to serve you, to wash the feet of my lord's servants."

Berean Standard Bible:

She arose, then bowed facedown and said, “Here is your maidservant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

American Standard Version:

And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, Behold, thy handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she arose^{H6965}, and bowed^{H7812} herself on her face^{H639} to the earth^{H776}, and said^{H559}, Behold, let thine handmaid^{H519} be a servant^{H8198} to wash^{H7364} the feet^{H7272} of the servants^{H5650} of my lord^{H113}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 25:41

1 Samuel 25:41 is a verse that captures a moment of humility and servitude within the larger narrative of David's life before he became king of Israel. The verse is part of the story of Abigail, who was married to a wealthy but foolish man named Nabal. When David and his men were in need, they asked Nabal for assistance, but he rudely refused them. Abigail, however, recognized David's worth and future kingship, and she intervened by bringing provisions to David and his men, averting potential conflict.

In the verse, Abigail displays her submission and respect for David by bowing to the ground and offering to wash the feet of his servants, a menial task typically reserved for the lowest of servants. This act of humility underscores the themes of wisdom, diplomacy, and proper response to authority, which are recurrent in the books of Samuel. Abigail's actions are contrasted with her husband's foolishness and highlight the importance of discernment and prudence in leadership and interpersonal relationships.

Historically, this event occurs during the period when David is on the run from King Saul, who is jealous of David's popularity and success. The story of Abigail not only provides a moral lesson but also serves as a character study of David, showing his restraint and willingness to listen to wise counsel, which are qualities that would later serve him well as king. Abigail's role in this narrative is significant as it demonstrates the influence and agency a woman could have, even within the patriarchal society of ancient Israel. Her intervention is seen as a pivotal moment that prevents David from shedding blood in revenge, which he might have regretted later. Thus, 1 Samuel 25:41 reflects the broader biblical themes of wisdom overcoming folly, the importance of humility, and the sovereignty of God in human affairs, as He uses various individuals to guide and shape the future king of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
2. Strong's Number: H7812
   There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁחָה
   Transliteration: shâchâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
   
3. Strong's Number: H639
   There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַף
   Transliteration: ʼaph
   Pronunciation: af
   Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath.
   
4. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H519
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼâmâh
   Pronunciation: aw-maw'
   Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).
   
7. Strong's Number: H8198
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁפְחָה
   Transliteration: shiphchâh
   Pronunciation: shif-khaw'
   Description: feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see מִשְׁפָּחָה); a female slave (as a member of the household); (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7364
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחַץ
   Transliteration: râchats
   Pronunciation: raw-khats'
   Description: a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self).
   
9. Strong's Number: H7272
   There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֶגֶל
   Transliteration: regel
   Pronunciation: reh'-gel
   Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5650
    There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶבֶד
    Transliteration: ʻebed
    Pronunciation: eh'-bed
    Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
    
11. Strong's Number: H113
    There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָדוֹן
    Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
    Pronunciation: aw-done'
    Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'.